From: cbateman@idmail.com
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 6:16 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Oppose FDA's New Regulations on Genetically Engineered Food

Carolyn Bateman
7-1395 W. 13th Ave.
vancouver,  V6H 1N7
Canada
cbateman@idmail.com


RE: Docket No. 00N-1396, and 00D-1598

Dear FDA,
 
I am very disappointed by your new policies on genetically engineered (GE) foods. Here in Canada our policies regarding GMOs are equally abysmal and I was hoping the U.S. might follow the European lead and show some leadership in this matter. However, despite overwhelming consumer demand, your agency still fails to require safety testing and mandatory labeling for GE foods. Your "notification" policy is an insult to consumers and irresponsibly ignores strong scientific evidence of numerous potential health and environmental risks to GE foods. You should be aware that these foods could be toxic, could cause allergic responses, could have lower nutrition value, could compromise immune responses in consumers, and could cause irreparable damage to the environment. 

I am also opposed to the new "voluntary labelling" policy, which denies consumers a basic right to know. Without mandatory labelling, neither consumers nor health professionals will know if an allergic or toxic reaction was the result of a genetically engineered food. Consumers will also be deprived of the critical knowledge they need to hold food producers liable should any of these novel foods prove hazardous.

Your proposed rules ignore serious concerns, and appear to be a decision made to convenience industry at the expense of public health and the environment. It is terrible that both Canadians and Americans are acting as guinea pigs for these untested foods, and I trust you will take my concern along with the thousands of others into serious consideration.

Sincerely,



Carolyn Bateman